Some men can't stay faithful, even when they're already with gorgeous, successful girls. Cosmo investigates this baffling behavior.

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When we read news reports that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a love child with a member of his houshold staff and carried on the affair for over a decade, it was hard not to be shocked. What reason could there be for him to risk losing his wife, the beautiful and incredibly successful Maria Shriver who helped his political career at the risk of losing her own?

Although we don't know the behind-the-scenes details of their marriage or how the story will unfold, infidelity experts say it's not surprising that guys like Arnold may be tempted to indulge in sideline action. As it turns out, the reasons guys are unfaithful are rarely about the sex itself, but because cheating fuels a deep psychological need.
"Several factors make some men more likely to stray, even if they are dating or married to a beautiful
woman," says Don-David Lusterman, PhD, author of Infidelity: A Survival
Guide.

The first factor at work is the man's level of success. Guys in high-profile,
powerful positions — such as politicians, celebrities, athletes, and business executives
— often have a sense of superiority and entitlement. "These guys have
achieved a certain status, and bedding several attractive women further
reinforces it in their mind," says Lusterman. Moreover, these men are constantly
on the road, away from their girlfriends and wives. At the same time, their
prominence attracts a slew of hot chicks who offer no-strings-attached sex. "They
may have a wonderful partner waiting at home, but the situation they're in,
coupled with their role of pursuer, makes it that much easier to cheat," adds
Lusterman.

But politicos aren't the only snakes. Plenty of regular guys are unfaithful too,
especially when their backgrounds condone it. Many two-timers come from chauvinistic cultures or families where their fathers cheated.
"There are internal blueprints (created by watching our parents) that make cheating more of an option for some guys," according toDr. Debbie Magids, author of All the Good Ones Aren't Taken. Also, men who were ignored as children often develop deep trust issues, which can make long-term relationships really difficult. "Chronic cheating is rooted in an emotional emptiness that can give people the need to feel constantly desired," she says.

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Then there are guys whose bad behavior is actually a mental disorder. Sex
addicts, for example, are so enslaved to the rush of sexual activity that they have
affairs, visit prostitutes, and consume porn. "Ironically, many of them have happy
relationships and feel guilty for cheating, but they can't stop," says Lusterman.
Someone with narcissistic personality disorder, on the other hand, can't resist
the temptation because he is obsessed with being adored.

Guys who have such extreme compulsions need psychiatric help. But just
because a guy fits some of the other categories doesn't mean he'll automatically
cheat. "It's important to pay attention to the warning signs, but whether a man will
stray or not boils down to his level of honesty within the relationship and his
loyalty to you," says Lusterman.